Laura's story: my Covid-19 vaccine experience


2 February 2021

Since the MHRA first approved use of vaccines which would help immunise the most vulnerable against Covid-19, there has been a lot of discussion surrounding potential side effects, particularly for people with MS. Community Staff Nurse, Laura was diagnosed with MS 11 years ago and shared her experience of receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

As I am a Community Staff Nurse and work with the district nursing teams, I was offered the Covid-19 vaccine very quickly.  It was almost as though we had heard nothing at all and then all of a sudden, they were holding drop in clinics for staff at our local hospital. I had already decided that I wanted the vaccine as I had kept up to date about the science behind it and I felt that it was just like the flu vaccine.

My MS nurse said she didn’t know what to advise me about what the vaccine might do with my MS but I'd rather deal with the side effects than catch Covid.

I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS 11 years ago and am currently receiving Ocrevus infusions. Because of this, I knew I needed to be careful about vaccinations around the date of infusion. I had to get in contact with my MS nurse as I didn't have a definitive date for the next infusion but knew it was due around January or February time. Once I spoke with her and confirmed when I was getting my next infusion, I was able to calculate backwards to make sure I had the second dose of the vaccine at least two weeks before my next infusion. 

It is important to remember that you get the second dose of the vaccine between three and twelve weeks after the first. My MS nurse said she didn't know what to advise me about what the vaccine might do with my MS but I'd rather deal with the side effects than catch Covid. I was also aware that my infusions might make the vaccine less effective but again, I'd rather have it than not and don't see how it's any different to the flu vaccine in that regard.

I have now received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and had no side effects at all apart from a sore arm. A couple of my colleagues said they had a bit of a headache but that was it. I'm definitely glad I had it as my Ocrevus infusions mean I fall into the clinically vulnerable group and I think it's very important to do what you can to limit the chances of becoming seriously unwell if you catch Covid. 

I'm a bit disappointed that although I have had my vaccine, the government are still telling us to shield, but I understand they can't guarantee that the vaccine will protect you if the virus is so rife in the general population. I suppose I'm just struggling a bit as I know how busy the NHS is and I don't want to make my team short staffed while I'm sitting at home doing nothing. 

Overall, I'm very glad I had the vaccine and I think it's important that if you are offered it, you get it. How else are we going to get out of the current situation?

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